GE Renewable Energy and Cube Hydro Partners announced that they have entered into an agreement to provide three aerating turbines to Cube Hydro Partners for their High Rock plant in North Carolina. The first of three units will be delivered in the fall of 2018 and become operational in the spring of 2019.

The aerating turbine developed by GE Renewable Energy’s Hydro solutions business provides a unique environmental benefit for fish and other aquatic wildlife downstream of hydroelectric power plants by increasing the amount of oxygen in the rivers. This benefit is achieved by drawing air into the turbine. The oxygen in the air is transferred to the water and increases the dissolved oxygen levels in the river.

GE Hydro Solutions’s advanced R&D program on dissolved oxygen enhancement technologies is part of a GE Renewable Energy global R&D network for hydro research and aligned with GE’s company-wide Global Research organization that includes 5 research facilities and 2,000 PhDs, scientists and engineers around the world who span multiple industry sectors. GE executives said they are enthusiastic about broader opportunities to address the large market for aerating turbines.

"This is an important contract for us because it will tangibly demonstrate our ability to supply this technology to an ever increasing, important U.S. market segment," said Pierre Marx, North America Leader for GE Renewable Energy’s Hydro solutions. "We are delighted to be able to offer this product to Cube Hydro and our other customers, ensuring that the US market has access to the latest technology to address the dissolved oxygen challenge."

"Partnerships such as the one announced today are aimed at providing the highest quality equipment and service at the least possible cost, thus demonstrating that renewable energy is both affordable and good for the economy. Based on a comprehensive review of GE's aerating runner technology, we are excited about the environmental benefits this solution brings to the Yadkin River System." said Cube Hydro Partner's Kristina Johnson, Chief Executive Officer.